Virginia State Fair and County Fairs

From the State Fair of Virginia to small-town agricultural celebrations, Virginia’s fairs offer a taste of local flavor and celebrate Virginia’s culture, creativity, and community spirit. Savor classics like funnel cakes and turkey legs, or try innovative treats like pickle lemonade. Enjoy thrilling amusement rides, see live music performances, shop local arts and crafts, watch artisan demonstrations, and meet farm animals in agricultural exhibits when you attend a Virginia fair.

Looking to make lasting memories with your family? Put a local county fair or the State Fair of Virginia on your calendar and make it a yearly tradition!

NORTHERN | CENTRAL | COASTAL | SHENANDOAH VALLEY | BLUE RIDGE HIGHLANDS | VIRGINIA MOUNTAINS | SOUTHERN | CHESAPEAKE BAY | HEART OF APPALACHIA

The State Fair of Virginia – Doswell | Late September – Early October

Endless fun awaits at the State Fair of Virginia, a weeklong event held annually in late September. Catch live music and concerts, add some adrenaline to your visit on the amusement rides and coasters, shop local and nationally-made artisan goods, and get hands-on at the animal and livestock exhibits. There are also various food vendors offering your favorite fair foods, including elephant ears, pizza, funnel cakes, fried Oreos, and hand-squeezed lemonade. 

NORTHERN VIRGINIA

Prince William County Fair – Manassas | Early to Mid-August

Virginia’s largest county fair, this Prince William event draws more than 90,000 visitors for a nine-day extravaganza . This family-friendly festival is packed with fun things to do, like carnival rides, demolition derbies, rodeos, monster truck shows, hot‑air balloon rides, petting zoos, arts exhibits, livestock competitions, and live entertainment . 

Loudoun County Fair – Leesburg | Late July

The Loudoun County Fair marks its 90th celebration in 2025 and unfolds across tree-lined fairgrounds. Find a lively mix of fun at the fair, from petting zoos and magic shows to pig scrambles, demolition derbies, and carnival rides. There are also agricultural exhibitions, livestock demonstrations, and festival favorites like Cow‑Pie Bingo.

More County Fairs in Northern Virginia

• Caroline County Fair – Ruther Glen | Late June
• Fauquier County Fair – Warrenton | Mid-July
• Arlington County Fair – Arlington | Mid-August

CENTRAL VIRGINIA

Albemarle County Fair – Charlottesville | Late July

Held over three days at the historic James Monroe’s Highland, the Albemarle County Fair invites visitors to attend an agriculturally rooted, family-friendly tradition. For just $5 per person (kids under six get in free), you’ll catch livestock and animal exhibits, agricultural and home‑arts displays, live music, historic crafts demonstrations such as blacksmithing and wool spinning, and sample fare from a bevy of food trucks.

Chesterfield County Fair – Chesterfield | Late August

A long-running event dating back to 1911, the Chesterfield County Fair draws approximately 50,000 visitors with agricultural exhibits, blue-ribbon competitions, lively music, and classic carnival rides. Beyond the midway, you’ll discover attractions like the heritage village and blacksmithing, pageants, parades, live entertainment spanning gospel to pop, animal exhibits, and carnival food favorites such as turkey legs and fried Oreos.

More County Fairs in Central Virginia

• Powhatan County Fair – Powhatan | Mid-May
• Amelia County Fair – Amelia | Late June
• Orange County Fair – Orange | Late June
• Louisa County Fair – Louisa | Late July - Early August
• Goochland County Fair – Goochland | Early August
• 5 County Fair – Farmville | Late September
• Dinwiddie County Fair – Dinwiddie | Late October

COASTAL VIRGINIA

Gloucester County 4-H Fair – Gloucester | Late July

A beloved four‑day celebration of youth, agriculture, and community heritage, the Gloucester County 4-H Fair includes equestrian and livestock displays, draft‑horse and tractor pulls, pig races, and a showcase of 4‑H talents in crafts, public speaking, and animal care. Alongside old‑time country charm, visitors will love fair favorites like carnival rides, live music, car shows, craft vendors, classic fair foods, and family-friendly contests.

More County Fairs in Coastal Virginia

Isle of Wight County Fair – Windsor | Early to Mid-September

SHENANDOAH VALLEY

Rockingham County Fair – Harrisonburg | Early August

Each August, the Rockingham County Fairgrounds near Harrisonburg draws nearly 80,000 attendees for the Rockingham County Fair. The summer event features livestock competitions, crop and homemaking exhibits, 4‑H and FFA youth shows, live entertainment, carnival rides, local food vendors, and craft competitions.

Warren County Fair – Front Royal | Late July - Early August

The Warren County Fair offers family-oriented experiences with everything from motorsport spectacles like demo derbies and pulling contests to live music, pageants, and sensory-friendly activities. You’ll also see youth development programs through 4‑H and home‑economics exhibits along with animal shows and educational demonstrations aimed at entertaining and inspiring fairgoers of all ages.

More County Fairs in the Shenandoah Valley

• Madison County Fair – Madison | Mid-July
• Augusta County Fair  – Fishersville | Late July
• Frederick County Fair – Clear Brook | Late July - Early August
• Shenandoah County Fair – Woodstock | Late August – Early September
• Page Valley Fair – Luray | Mid-August

SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA - BLUE RIDGE HIGHLANDS

Washington County Fair – Abingdon | Early September

Attend the Washington County Fair, a vibrant six-day celebration with deep roots. The fair offers free admission for children under 13 and engaging events for all ages, including agricultural showcases, livestock shows, carnival rides, educational exhibits, competitions, arts & crafts, a petting zoo, concerts, and even quirky attractions like a lawn mower race and RC car racing.

VIRGINIA MOUNTAINS

Salem Fair – Salem | Early July

Held at the Salem Civic Center, this is the largest free-admission fair in Virginia, and runs for nearly two weeks in early July. While general entry and parking are free, visitors can pay for amusement rides, carnival games, and fair food and drinks. Live music performances happen nightly, and there are free shows including circus acts and animal demonstrations, fireworks for the Fourth of July, artisan vendors, and local competition exhibits. 

Botetourt County Fair – Buchanan | Early August

The Botetourt County Fair is a free family-focused event celebrating local agriculture, youth exhibits, and community heritage. Taking place at Buchanan Town Park on Friday evening and all day Saturday, the fair features engaging highlights like live music, a beer garden with local brews, sheep shearing demonstrations, wood carving, a draft horse pull, youth livestock competitions, chicken bingo, a local food walk, and a youth livestock auction. 

SOUTHERN VIRGINIA

Halifax County Fair – South Boston | Late September - Early October

The Halifax County Fair, a fall tradition for more than a century, features classic amusement rides like the Tilt‑A‑Whirl, drop tower, and Ferris wheel, as well as entertaining exhibits with ribbons and prizes awarded—everything from artwork, quilts, photography, Lego creations, home‑grown produce, and pumpkin decorating. Evening entertainment includes live music, circus acts, and rotating performances for a fun-filled, family-oriented experience.

Pittsylvania County Fair – Chatham | Mid-September

This lively nine-day fair offers a little bit of everything, from thrilling demolition derbies, figure‑8 races, and professional bull riding to magic and cirque‑style shows, all included with gate admission. Visitors can also enjoy unlimited rides via wristband specials, plus new attractions like free monster‑truck rides mid‑week, mouthwatering fair food, carnival games, and a petting zoo featuring local farm animals.

More County Fairs in Southern Virginia

• Franklin County Agricultural Fair – Rocky Mount | Mid-September

CHESAPEAKE BAY

Richmond County Fair – Warsaw | Mid- July

The Richmond County Fair in Warsaw occurs each July at the Richmond County Fairgrounds. Catch livestock shows, arts and crafts exhibits, carnival rides, nightly live music, food and vendor booths, plus quirky attractions like hay bale-decorating contests and even alligator wrestling.

SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA - HEART OF APPALACHIA

Tazewell County Fair – Tazewell | Early August

The Tazewell County Fair, held in Southwest Virginia for more than 150 years, stands as Virginia’s longest continuously running county fair. The event offers a lively mix of carnival rides, livestock exhibitions, motorsports such as truck pulls and demolition derbies, and themed events, including rodeo nights, antique tractor displays, pageants, and gospel music performances.

Scott County Fair – Gate City | Late July

Occurring on the last weekend in July, the Scott County Fair is a free event with lively grandstand shows like demolition derbies, tractor pulls, and truck events. The fair also has a classic carnival, creative arts competitions, a livestock showcase, and engaging family‑friendly highlights such as draft horse shows. 

More County Fairs in Southwest Virginia

• Lee County Fair – Pennington Gap | Late May
• Russell County Fair & Horse Show – Castlewood | Late August - Early September
• Dickenson County Fair  – Haysi | Mid-September